BCAACC Programs & Events
Explore current programs, community events, educational workshops, heritage celebrations, archived exhibitions, and guest speaker presentations that preserve and share the stories of Bastrop Countyโs Freedom Colonies.
View upcoming and recent programs, workshops, community gatherings, and special events.
Explore past exhibitions, workshops, celebrations, awards, tours, and community history programs.
Learn from historians, educators, cultural leaders, and Freedom Colony descendants who have shared their knowledge with the community.
Museum Events
Date
Events
Photos
June 21, 2026
Walk of Love
A community solidarity event held in conjunction with the Heal Alliance. Famed musician Hannibal Lokumbe will perform at the conclusion of the walk.
June 6, 2026
Unsung Heroes 2026
A celebration of our communityโs unsung heroes.
May 16, 2026
Where Roots Run Deep
A genealogy, family reunion, and cemetery preservation workshop.
May 9, 2026
Bastrop Freedom Colonies Mosaic Exhibit
Participants took part in a workshop to create a set of beautiful mosaic pieces that honor Bastrop County Freedom Colony history. Those pieces are now on display at the BCAACC.
February 28, 2026
Freedom Colony Bus Tour
BCAACC sponsored a Freedom Colony Bus Tour that highlighted several Freedom Colony churches. Participants were able to learn the history of these historic churches.
February 28, 2026
Telling Your Story
Every family or Freedom Colony has a story. BCAACC member Gloria Rainwater presented a genealogy workshop. Information was shared explaining the use of public records, family documents, family reunions, pictures, video, DNA, and other helpful aids to telling your familyโs story.
December 6, 2025
Bastrop Freedom Colony Stories
As told by descendants from Cedar Creek, Mt. Olive, and Piney.
May 4, 2024
Freedom Colony Quilt Project
Quilting experience was not necessary to attend this informative and hands-on workshop led by Cynthia Vaughn and Deb Harris, co-founders of the African American Quilt Circle of San Antonio. These quilting experts helped guide participants as they made their own symbolic quilts, each honoring each participantโs personal Freedom Colony story.
November 18, 2023
A Place at the Table
BCAACC held an ancestral Thanksgiving celebrating traditional food that was eaten and created by Freedom Colony African Americans and their contemporaries. Today, many of these dishes are common dishes enjoyed by all Americans.
August 24, 2023
Unsung Heroes
The Unsung Heroes Award was created by the BCAACC in 2023 to recognize individuals who have devoted their lives to family, community service, and the preservation of African American history. The first of these awards was hosted by one of the original BCAACC founders, Doris Williams.
June 19, 2023
Memory Jug Exhibition
A Memory Jug Workshop at the historic Kerr-Wilson House honored ancestors through personalized creations made from treasured containers and meaningful keepsakes. The workshop was led by artist and retired Southern University Art Professor Janis Bergman-Carton.
May 29, 2023
Recognition & Awards
A Recognition and Awards program was held at the Kerr Community Center to honor philanthropist and Board Member, and one of the BCAACCโs founders, Mr. David Collins. Also honored was Summus Industriesโ CEO Rodney Craig.
December 4, 2021
Museum Events - Video
Date
Events
Video
June 19, 2019
BCAACC Poster Exhibit
From June 2019 to October 2019, the Bastrop County Museum & Visitor Center held a โBastrop County African American Special Exhibitโ to showcase the 13+ Freedom Colonies in Bastrop County. The special exhibit opened to coincide with the annual Juneteenth celebrations and was well received by the Bastrop community. It highlighted African American artifacts and descendants of Freedom Colonies in Bastrop County. The African American exhibit was so well received by the community that it is now a permanent exhibit at the museum.
December 4, 2021
Open House
The BCAACC held its first Open House during the Christmas season at the Kerr Community Center. There was a Buffalo Soldiers reenactment. The event was free to the public and also served as a fundraiser.
February 28, 2026
Telling Your Story
Every family or Freedom Colony has a story. BCAACC member Gloria Rainwater presented a genealogy workshop. Information was shared explaining the use of public records, family documents, family reunions, pictures, video, DNA, and other helpful aids to telling your familyโs story. Also make sure there are exciting design elemtsn like the home page and other pages